Inspecting pipes deep beneath the ocean surface can be a challenging and dangerous job.

Ensuring pipelines and gear are operating smoothly, reducing external dangers and ensuring personnel are safe are all part of what SeaTrepid Louisiana LLC does on a daily basis, and thanks in part to remotely operated vehicles equipped with Inuktun cameras, SeaTrepid is the best in the business when it comes to going deep.

How deep?

"We operate our medium-sized ROVs to a depth of 1,000 metres (3,000 feet)," said Bob Christ, president of SeatTrepid. "At that depth there is no light, hazardously high pressure and no hope of recovery should we become entangled. Inuktun's Mini Crystal Cam allows us to see any obstacles thus avoiding dangerous areas."

Inuktun's Mini Crystal Cam was originally rated for depths up to 300 metres (1,000 feet), but has recently been rated to go as deep as 1,000 metres (3,000 feet), giving SeaTrepid an advantage working at those depths.

SeaTrepid recently purchased four Mini Crystal Cameras from Inuktun. These lightweight and durable cameras are inexpensive and versatile, can be secured to virtually any surface including underwater vehicles, and can be attached to a tether that goes a long way down.

"The Mini Crystal Cam is simple, bulletproof and reliable," said Christ. "It has its own integrated LED lighting built in. We mount them and we don't have to worry about it. We turn it on and it works."

SeaTrepid is a specialist in underwater robotics solutions to the commercial, governmental and scientific communities. Its focus is in the persistent development of effective equipment and techniques for the lowering of risks to personnel, accomplishing underwater tasks in hazardous environments and bringing results to our customers through 'Excellence Underwater.'

The company's clients include oil and gas customers - one of SeaTrepid's services is to inspect oil platforms post hurricanes to inspect for damage - as well as municipalities, hydroelectric power generators and the military. Christ says the cameras are a necessity to keep divers safe while working underwater.

"The Mini Crystal Cam allows us to keep constant visual contact with divers through wider visual camera coverage areas," he said, adding that the cameras are also used monitor subsea tooling functions, approach and exit launch and recovery cages and to recover lost items such as production piping, drill string and tooling.

SeaTrepid also owns an Inuktun-built VersaTrax 150 pipe crawler, and has a Versatrax 300 on order. The VT 300 is a robust pipeline inspection system capable of inspecting more than a mile of pipeline in a single run with pipes as narrow as 300 millimetres (12 inches) wide.Christ said using Inuktun has given his company an edge.

"Inuktun equipment fits within our philosophy with regards to operational equipment," he said. "And they are an excellent business partner to our industry. We plan on maintaining Inuktun as a long term core vendor for our business."

Canadian-based Inuktun Services is an industry leading designer and manufacturer of modular, mobile robotic systems and system components for use in hazardous areas, confined spaces and underwater applications throughout the world. For more information, call 1-800-468-5886 or visit www.inuktun.com.